Abstract: A method including poling an optical waveguide device including an optical waveguide core, an electrode, and an organically modified sol-gel layer.

Abstract: Optical waveguide devices that include a polymer clad and a polymer core where the clad includes constitutional units contributed by (a) a monomer selected from the group consisting of a halocatechol diacrylate, a haloresorcinol diacrylate, and a haldhydroquinone diacrylate, and/or (b) a charge transport moiety.

Abstract: Electro-optic waveguide devices that comprise an electro-optic polymer core and a polymer buffer clad. The polymer buffer clad comprises an organically modified sol-gel and has a refractive index lower than the refractive index of the core.

Abstract: In various embodiments, chromophores are described that include novel electron acceptors, novel electron donors, and/or novel conjugated bridges that are useful in nonlinear optical applications. In some embodiments, the present invention provides chromophore architectures wherein a chromophore contains more than one electron acceptor in electronic communication with a single electron donor, and/or more than one electron donor in electronic communication with a single electron acceptor. Also described is processes for providing materials comprising the novel chromophores and polymer matrices containing the novel chromophores. Electro-optic devices described herein contain one or more of the described electron acceptors, electron donors, conjugated bridges, or chromophores.

Abstract: A process comprising: a) reacting a diphenol monomer A with a monomer B having two locations for reaction with A to form arylene ether monomer C and b) reacting arylene ether monomer C with a diphenol monomer D to form a polymer, where monomer A is HX1-Q1-X1H;??(II) monomer B is arylene ether monomer C is and monomer D is wherein: Q1 comprises at least one aryl or heteroaryl group; Q2 comprises at least one aryl or heteroaryl group; X1 is O bonded directly to an aryl carbon of Q1; X2 is O bonded directly to an aryl carbon of Q2; Z is a linker comprising at least one —(C(R2)2)— group; Y is a single bond or linker group (e.g., comprising up to about 50 carbons); R1 is independently at each occurrence H, a halogen, an alkyl group, a heteroalkyl group, an aryl group, or a heteroaryl group; R2 is independently at each occurrence H, an alkyl group, or a heteroalkyl group; and R3 is H or a crosslinkable group.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated systems for transmission of signals within a wide bandwidth (e.g., from DC to 40 GHz and above) include a conduction path and ground structures in an arrangement to provide a smooth transition between propagation in a coplanar waveguide mode and propagation in a microstrip waveguide mode. Some embodiments may be provided without vias, for example, by providing low impedance connections between ground structures on different layers, where the connections are made external to a medium between the layers. Some embodiments may feature a monotonically decreasing gap between a signal conduction path and a coplanar ground structure. Such embodiments may be used, for example, to provide a low loss, wide bandwidth interface between a coaxial transmission line and a microstrip transmission line. As another example, one or more such structures may be used in an electro-optic modulator to control an optical signal.

Abstract: A device that comprises: a) a first optical waveguide; b) a second optical waveguide; c) an optical coupling region including the first and second optical waveguides, the optical coupling region characterized as having at least one coupling length and comprising a first bias section, a modulation section, and a second bias section arranged such that light propagates serially through the first bias section, the modulation section, and the second bias section; d) a first bias electrode for biasing the first bias section; e) a modulating electrode for applying a modulating voltage to the modulation section, the modulating electrode being positioned to control the refractive index of the first optical waveguide; and f) a second bias electrode for biasing the second bias section.

Abstract: A process, comprising: a) reacting a an alkoxysilane, an (epoxy)alkoxysilane, and a fluorinated alkoxysilane to form a fluorinated sol-gel polymer; and b) reacting a nonlinear optical chromophore comprising a donor, a ?-bridge, an acceptor, and at least one alkoxysilyl group with the fluorinated sol-gel polymer to form a nonlinear optical fluorinated sol-gel polymer.

Abstract: A nonlinear optical chromophore having the formula D-?-A, wherein ? is a ? bridge including a thiophene ring having oxygen atoms bonded directly to the 3 and 4 positions of the thiophene ring, D is a donor, A is an acceptor, and the oxygen atoms are further substituted with a fluorinated group comprising at least three fluorines is described. Some examples of fluorinated groups comprising at least three fluorine atoms are 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl; 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl; 2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluorobutyl; 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,5-octafluoropentyl; 3,3,4,4,-5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluoro-1-octyl; 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8 -pentadecafluorooctyl; 1-trifluoromethyl-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl; 1-trifluoromethyl-2,2,3,3,3 -pentafluoropropyl; 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl; and (2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl)ethyl.

Abstract: Crosslinked polymer blends comprising a poly(arylene ether) and a nonlinear optical chromophore. Also featured are electro-optic devices incorporating these blends.

Abstract: A polymer comprising units having the formula (I) wherein: Q1 comprises at least one aryl or heteroaryl group; Q2 comprises at least one aryl or heteroaryl group; X1 is O bonded directly to an aryl carbon of Q1; X2 is O bonded directly to an aryl carbon of Q2; Z is a linker comprising at least one —C(R2)2)— group; Y is a single bond or linker group (e.g., comprising up to about 50 carbons); R1 is independently at each occurrence H, a halogen, an alkyl group, a heteroalkyl group, an aryl group, or a heteroaryl group; R2 is independently at each occurrence H, an alkyl group, or a heteroalkyl group; and R3 is H or a crosslinkable group.

Abstract: A polymer comprising units having the formula (I) wherein: Q1 comprises at least one aryl or heteroaryl group; Q2 comprises at least one aryl or heteroaryl group; X1 is O bonded directly to an aryl carbon of Q1; X2 is O bonded directly to an aryl carbon of Q2; Z is a linker comprising at least one —(C(R2)2)— group; Y is a single bond or linker group (e.g., comprising up to about 50 carbons); R1 is independently at each occurrence H, a halogen, an alkyl group, a heteroalkyl group, an aryl group, or a heteroaryl group; R2 is independently at each occurrence H, an alkyl group, or a heteroalkyl group; and R3 is H or a crosslinkable group.

Abstract: A feed network for coupling elements of a multi-element patch antenna to transmit or receive circuitry may include segments having dimensions that maximize the impedance of the feed network. Increasing the feed network impedance can simplify matching of the feed network to conventional transmission line impedances (e.g., 50 Ohms, 75 Ohms), which reduces reflections of the operating signals as a result of impedance mismatches. By designing the feed network as a hierarchical distribution network of transmission lines of particular lengths selected to maximize impedance, signal reflections may be reduced and bandwidth of the antenna system may be improved.

Abstract: A process comprising: a) reacting a diphenol monomer A with a monomer B having two locations for reaction with A to form arylene ether monomer C and b) reacting arylene ether monomer C with a diphenol monomer D to form a polymer, where monomer A is HX1—Q1—X1H;??(II) monomer B is arylene ether monomer C is and monomer D is wherein: Q1 comprises at least one aryl or heteroaryl group; Q2 comprises at least one aryl or heteroaryl group; X1 is O bonded directly to an aryl carbon of Q1; X2 is O bonded directly to an aryl carbon of Q2; Z is a linker comprising at least one —C(R2)2)— group; Y is a single bond or linker group (e.g., comprising up to about 50 carbons); R1 is independently at each occurrence H, a halogen, an alkyl group, a heteroalkyl group, an aryl group, or a heteroaryl group; R2 is independently at each occurrence H, an alkyl group, or a heteroalkyl group; and R3 is H or a crosslinkable group.

Abstract: A nonlinear optical chromophore having the formula D-?-A, wherein ? is a ? bridge including a thiophene ring having oxygen atoms bonded directly to the 3 and 4 positions of the thiophene ring, D is a donor, and A is an acceptor.

Abstract: A process comprising a) providing a polymer blend comprising a luminescent polymer and a second polymer, where at least one of the polymers is crosslinkable, and b) crosslinking the crosslinkable polymer.

Abstract: Crosslinked polymer blends that include a luminescent polymer. Also featured are devices incorporating these blends.

Abstract: A nonlinear optical chromophore having the formula D-?-A, wherein ? is a ? bridge including a thiophene ring having oxygen atoms bonded directly to the 3 and 4 positions of the thiophene ring, D is a donor, and A is an acceptor.

Abstract: An electro-optic waveguide device that includes (a) an electro-optic polymer core having a refractive index and (b) an electro-optic first polymer clad in proximity to the electro-optic polymer core.

Abstract: A microfabrication process for preparing articles in which a precursor article that includes (a) a substrate, (b) a first polymer layer overlying the substrate, (c) a second polymer layer overlying the first polymer layer, (d) a metal hardmask layer overlying the second polymer layer, and (e) a photodefinable layer overlying the metal hardmask layer is subjected to photolithographic imaging, developing, and plasma etching steps to form an article that includes the substrate and portions of the first polymer layer arranged in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of the photomask used for photolithographic imaging.